German-Armenian Society Berlin series of lectures We like to invite you on Monday 24th of Nov 2003 19:30 in the saarlandian permanent representation located in the Ministergärten 4 10117 Berlin to a lecture of Tim Schroder amnesty international about “Human Rights Situation in South Caucasia. Unsolved Problems.” About the subject: The current situation of human rights in the three south-caucasian states Armenia Azerbaijan and Georgia is similar to other former states of the UdSSR. It is determined by a paradox condition in which national law systems as well as international obligations entered into by those three states theoretically guarantee a comprehensive standard resembling a western standard of human rights protection the real level of protection however stays partly behind. This lecture will therefore present the binding national and international human rights norms for Armenia Azerbaijan and Georgia and confront them with the observed violations of human rights in these states. An extensive presentation of concrete single cases of grave violations will lead over to the attempt to find a common explanation for the deficiencies in human rights protection. The assumption that one of the main reasons for these deficiencies are the weakness of the national justice systems especially courts and public prosecution authorities will be verified. Finally the judicial reforms of those countries to redress those weaknesses will be presented and their assistance by western experts as well as the results of the reforms so far.